Portable fire escape device



arch M, 1956 1.. H. TESSIN 25%84 PORTABLE FIRE ESCAPE DEVICE Filed June 18, 1947 4 Sheets-Sheet l Inventor Laurence H. 7bssin March 14, 195@ ssm 2,500,884

PORTABLE FIRE ESCAPE DEVICE Filed June 18, 1947 4 Sheets-Sheet 3 Fig.3.

Laurence H. T ass/n K. II/121 1 A ttorn eys March E4, 1950 gss 2,5@@,84

PORTABLE FIRE ESCAPE DEVICE Filed June 18 1947 4 Sheets-Sheet 4 Inventor Laurence H. Tess/n Patented Mar. 14, 1950 PORTABLE FIRE ESCAPE DEVICE Laurence H. Tessin, 'Grand Rapids, Mich assign'or of .one-halfto Lemmie M. Weeks, Grand Rapids, Mich.

Application June"18, 1947, Serial N0. 755,406

This invention relates to improvements in fire escapes and more particularly to a portable device that may be worn by the user in'making *a descent from an elevation "to'a safe level below.

Among the objects of the invention is to provide a fire escape device which may be packed into a small carrying case as would be carried as baggage or luggage by a traveler in his travels so that should need arise for-an escape from aburning hotel or other structure the userof the device'may quickly and'easily put on the escape device and take leave of the burning building by way of the nearest window or opening in the structure.

Another objectis to provide comfort and a feeling of security to'travelers and'to theirloved ones that they have a safe and adequate means of escape should'they 'fall victim to being caught inside a high burning building such as a modern hotel.

Another object is to provide an adjustable harness so that the user can easily make'afew'minor adjustments and then pack his portable fire escape device'into a small carrying case to be ready if and when needed and proper fit thereof is assured.

Another object is toprovide means for anchoring a wire cable'and making a descent being supported thereby and then providing a means of landing at a lower level, shearing the 'wire cable and then if a heavilyburning area is to be-avoided or if the user has merely descendedto the rooftop of an adjacent building and wishes to descend from that'rooftop'to a still lower level he has only to re-anchor the cable and again continue a safe descent.

Another object is toprovide aportable fire escape device that has continuous action 'so that as much as 250 it. of cable, capable of standing at least a 500 pound strain may be unreeled 'in making a descent without help from another'person above or below.

Another object'is to provide a means of carrying more than one person down'safely in making an escape from a burning structure.

Another object is to provide'thefire'escape device with a means to prevent fouling of the Wire cable, or backlash and entanglement of cable such as may cause other similar devices to fail in their purpose, so that even though the cable be cut at any time, the remaining cable will stay confined to the reel until stripped 'ofi intentionally.

Another object is to provide all the above objects, and others which'will "hereinafter be de- 1Claims. (Cl. 254-158) 2 scribed, at a small'cost so'that the *devicewill be within the means of all.

Other objects and advantages reside in the details of construction and-operation as more fully hereinafter described and claimed, reference being had to the accompanying drawings forming part hereof, wherein like-numerals refer to like parts throughout, and in which:

' Figure 1 is an elevation of the portable 'fire escape device applied to a person for use.

Figure 2 is an enlarged sectional elevation of the device detached, taken on the line 2-2 "of Figure '3.

Figure 3 is a transverse sectional view taken on the'1ine33 of Figure 2.

Figure 4 is an end elevation partly broken away.

Figure 5'isa perspective 'view showing the device'in dottedlines'within a carrying-case.

Figure '6 is a section on line =Bli of Figure 3, and

Figure '7 is an elevation "of a loop or belt :by which a person'or passenger may 'beheld'bythe user of the fire escape device.

Referring to the drawings indetail, in which like reference characters designate corresponding parts throughout the several views, 'my portable fire escape device is shown as comprising'a U-s'haped bracket it as seen in Figures '1 and 2, which forms the support for the drumand reel device H andalso 'forms an anchor for the harness arrangement l2. It also forms an anchor'for a shaft I3'whichmust be kept from rotation, and. is provided with an "intermediate threaded portion, smoothedcircu'lar portions M at opposite ends of the threaded portion and threaded extremities 15. In order to'hold the shaft i3 against rotation, the threaded endsof the shaft l3 are secured innu'ts iii welded to the frame or bracket it at point l1, andas-seen particularly'at [8 in Figure 4, :the threaded-ends of the shaftareextendedthrough unthreaded holes [9 in the sides or legs -of the U-shaped bracket I'll near their extremities, the-nuts being also welded to said frame or bracket ID by spot welding or the like, "as 'indicated at 2'0.

The adjustable harness [2 carried by the bracket it comprises rings 2| pivoted in loops 22 'at the oppositely outwardly curved ends of straps 23 adjustably secured 'to the bight or connecting portion 24 of the U-shaped bracket 1'0 as by means Of'b01ts'2'5 extending through a slot 26 in the portion'24, *to permitproperadjustmentof the spacing of therings to fit'various persons. The rings '2! are thus free to move or pivot in the bracket It at the loops 22, this freedom of movement permitting the rings to be turned up or against the portion 24 so that the rings can be folded up close to the ends of the bracket l where they are out of the way when the device is packed for storage or to be carried in a case such as that at 21, when not in use. The case is provided with a cover 28 having a handle 29 and an adjustable strap 36 securing the cover to the case proper, the case being designed to accommodate the portable fire escape device as shown in dotted lines in Figure of the drawings, so as to be readily accessible for use when needed. Suitable washers may be used in connection with the bolts 25, in order to straddle the slot 26, in order to secure the device in adjusted position at the adjustable straps 23.

Adjustable straps 3i and 32 are connected to the rings 2|, at their ends, so as to adjustably connect said rings for disposition of the harness around the back and chest of the wearer when in use as particularly shown in Figures 1 and 2 of the drawings. These straps are provided with adjustable buckles and holes 3; to fit different persons, so that the user can tighten the straps fast about his chest when the arms are extended through the rings 2! in the manner shown in Figure l of the drawings, with the armpits protected by soft cushion pads 34 provided on the rings beneath the armpits. As shown, the rings fit over the shoulders when the arms are extended therethrough, and the rings instead of being disposed against the connecting or bight portion 24 of the U-shaped bracket [8, are extended outwardly at right angles thereto in depending positions for the comfort of the user and drawn inwardly so as to be retained in position by the adjustable connecting straps 3i and 32 connecting the rings 2| at diametrically opposite points at the front and back. In the used position, the device rests just back of the head and on the shoulders of the user and the pads 34 add to the comfort of the user. The rivets 35 pass through the looped ends of the straps and rivets 36 pass through said looped ends and the rings 2!, for securing the straps firmly and securely in position at their anchored ends, it being understood that the rings 2| are preferably of metal suitable to withstand the strain of weight of the user. .Also, a pair of common wire ships or cutters, pliers or the like, 37 may be sewn or clipped to one of the straps, preferably at the front, as indicated at 38 so as to be readily torn off and used to cut the wire cable when and if necessary, such as when the person using the device to escape, reaches a level where there is a hot or wide burning area which is dangerous to pass, upon a landing before reaching the ground, or upon the roof of an adjoining building, so that the cable to be later described, may be again anchored and the device used to again operate to lower a person for the purpose of escaping from a burning building or the like. Obviously, in addition to the adjustable straps and buckles 33, the device may be adjusted by the clampdown bolts 25 adjustably connecting the extensions or straps 23 to which the rings are attached, to the connecting or bight portion 24 of the U-shaped bracket [8 so that the device will properly fit the user and insure proper comfort when in use. Obviously, the members 23 may be adjusted in and out or forward or backward on 4 welds described, are used at the points of greatest strain, to assure safety.

A bracket 39 is secured centrally to the connecting portion 24 of the U-shaped bracket It by a rivet or bolt and washer arrangement 35 of any suitable character, so that the bracket 39 is made fast, yet permitted to turn to the right or left under pressure and provided with a hole 4!, for connection to a snap fastener 42 attached to the end of a cable 43 at the reeling oif end of the cable which is preferably of wire. The purpose of this, is to anchor the end of the cable detachably and prevent the loose end of the cable from becoming tangled or hard to locate when use for the device becomes necessary. The bracket 39 has further use when a second passenger or person is taken along on the descent and may be held in the arms of the user of the device or cling to the user, but the added protection of a loop or-belt arrangement at M as shown in Figure 7 of the drawings, will insure safety from falling. For this purpose, the ends of the loop or belt 44 are provided with snap fasteners 15 secured in position by rings or otherwise as indicated at 46, the snap fasteners t5 being designed to engage through the hole Al in the bracket 39 so that the device may be used when desired, or readily attached for such purpose, or detached when it is not desired to use the same.

The fire escape device also includes a drum or reel ll consisting of a shell or cylinder which is relatively thin and of hollow cylindrical form with open ends, on which the cable :33 is snugly wound so as to permit only one strand or winding of the cable to unwind at a time from the drum as the pressure and weight of the pull on the cable causes the cable to unwind by a person descending thereon with the snap fastener 42 suitably anchored to a building structure at a window, such as the usual brackets used by window washers or otherwise. The drum t? fits between end plates or heads 48 of circular form and the cable wound in opposite directions is preferably started from each end near the end plates or heads where it may be anchored by U-bolts or other fasteners 49. The end plates are provided with holes 50 near the bight or connecting portion 25 of the bracket in normal position when not in use, to receive soft wire seals St, to keep the cable from unwinding by the turning of the drum, that is, to prevent rotation of the drum but adapted to shear when the snap fastener 32 is released from the hole 4| of the bracket 39 and F begins to unwind, such as at a fifty pound pull on the cable. This is a safety precaution as the seals 5! with the ends of the soft wires ccnnected by the usual sealing member of lead or otherwise, assures the user that the drum has not been rotated or tampered with as it is impossible to disturb the mechanism otherwise be cause it is all sealed inside of the drum or reel 4'! and because of the spot welds heretofore described. The cable being wound on the drum or reel is prevented from springing out and backlashing in unreeling or becoming fouled, because each layer is imbedded in a composition like plaster or the like '52 as shown in Figure 2 of the drawings, which may also be disposed over the end plates or heads 53 so as to hold the cable snug to the drum and only permit one strand or winding of the cable to unwind at a time from the drum as pressure and weight pull on the cable causes the cable to unwind. This coating is thin and tears the portion 24 of the bracket l0 and the spot 7? away easily at the proper time and prevents oxidation or corrosionand deterioration of the cable as the cable is sealed away from the elements until used.

The device also includes an inner cylinder 53 having projecting ends 54 entering annular grooves 55 in the inner faces of the heads or end plates as and provided with outwardlyextending relatively thick annular end flanges or walls forming shoulders 56 which may be bolted or riveted through the end plates or heads 48 as indicated at 5?. These annular flanges 56 are disposed so as to support the outer shellor drum cylinder t! on which the cable is wound from one end of the reel to the other'in themanner shown in Figures 1 and 2 of the drawings, and gaskets 53 are disposed between the ends 54 and the inner walls of the grooves '55, to form a liquid-tight seal at such points. Within the cylinder 53, which is adapted to contain heavy oil, air or other fluid, are provided paclzings of-annular form indicated at 59 around the smooth portions 14 of the shaft 53 to seal the fiuld against escape. The packings 59 may be disposed at the inside and outside of the heads or end plates 58, and the outer ones are shown disposed against an annular washer or plate 59 in turn held against the outer faces of the heads or circular end plates l8 with interposed packings ii! as a further means of preventing the escape of the fluid from within the cylinder 53. A plurality, such as two diametrically opposed bolts or connecting rods 82 connect the end plates 58 and extend at their ends through the annular plate its and receive closure nuts 83. The rods are thus adapted to turn with the drum or reel as the latter revolves around the shaft or axis i3 held by the bracket ill. It should also be noted that the bolts extend through openings be in a circular piston having an axial or central threaded hole or bore engaged on the threads of theaxis or axle shaft I 3 to move back and forth thereon, with escape passages 556 extending through the piston and packings 8? at its peripheral edge engaging the inner surface of the cylinder 53. In this manner, as the cable is unwound from the drum or reel ll in opposite directions, the piston 65, by reason of the bolts 62 connecting the same to the drum or cylinder of the reel through the head plates or ends thereof, is caused to travel in opposite directions to opposite ends of the intermediate threaded portion i3 of the axle or shait so that at least 250 feet of cable may be payed out to permit the descent of a person using the portable fire escape device from a relatively high point, to a lower surface, such as a jutting or projecting structure of the building where there is no fire or Where it is safe, or on a landing, fire escape, or other protective platform, or upon the roof of an adjoining building which is at a lower level and where it is safe. At such point, the cable may be cut and then anchored again at the lower level, so that descent may be continued to the ground surface to assure escape and safety.

In addition to the passages 56 through the piston the escape of the fluid, either air, oil or the like, may be from one end of the cylinder chamber to the other, through the medium of escape passages 58 leading from the chamher at the ends thereof, through the annular flange or wall 55 and then through a connecting pipe or conduit 69 coupled thereto at its ends, as indicated at it and provided with a suitable adjustment screw or valve ll, extending through;

a suitable hole 72 in one end or head plate 13 and threaded into the flange or wall 55 at such point,

to control the bypassing, escape or flow of the fluid from one end of the cylinder chamber to the other, so that the speed of descent and the resistance offered to the movement of the piston in opposite directions may be controlled according to the weight and speed with which it is desired to descend in using the escape device.

In the annular space between the drum or reel d! and the cylinder 53, an insulation fill i3 is provided which may be mixed with plaster of Paris or other suitable material as a binder to serve the purpose of insulating the fluid confined within the cylinder 53, preventing the fluid from becoming too viscous at extreme low temperatures and too thin a fiuid at extreme high temperatures to serve the purpose of insuring proper descent and ofiering resistance to the movement of the reciprocating piston 65 in the cylinder chamber. It also .forms a packing between the cylinder and drum and adds support to the pipe assembly 69 which passes through it in addition to strengthening the cylinder 53 and prevents vibration. However, it does not interfere with the anchoring of the cable 33, as indicated at so as the cable makes two complete turns around the cylinder 53 and clinched at any suitable points to provide two or more windings in reverse directions to provide the desired length or cable on the drum or reel cylinder ll. The beg ing of the windings start and are wound perlpherallyiaround the drum until enough cable has been stored thereon to equal the descent necessary to work the piston E55 to within ten turns of the packings -59 at the inside of he or end plates ll? within the cylinder 53 on the right and left hand ends of the cylinder on s1,- tl i All) .5. "s,

the threaded portion 53 of the shaft. position of the piston, the windings of the cable are reversed on the drum and by passing the cables through the soft pins or staples, ll-bolts or the like at the head plates or ends it, forming bights in the windings, the latter continue in opposite directions at such points until enough cable has been stored on a second layer or Windings to equal the descent necessary to work. the piston 55 within ten turns of the opposite position. If additional length of cable is defied, another soft staple or pin may be used on each end and the cable passed therethrough, forming a bight and the windings continued but in the reverse direction or position peripherally such as clockwise and anti-clockwise windings, to corre spond with the timing of the movement of the piston to the right and left in horizontal motion, so that the cable will continue to be reeled oil" of the drum in continuous motion equal in length to the amount of cable stored on the drum, which may be about 250 feet as an estimate. Of course, it is not to be limited to any particular size oi device nor any particular length or" cable, as this will depend upon the height of the buil ing on which it is used, the buildincsand rooms being equipped with such devices for use if de sired. However, one of the advantages or" the device is that it is relatively small and light, an

may be carried in a case such as El, for convenient use by the owner when necessary, and carried or stored in ones luggage so as to be ready for use when necessary.

The reversing of the cable s3 is preferably at one end of the drum adjacent the end plate or head it, such as the left hand end, the plates projecting outwardly of the drum or reel ll to form extensions or reel guides for the drum and confine the cable to the drum and then this will give two or more level windings of cable in reverse directions and each winding will start a new layer of winding, each winding being made opposite or in reverse to the windings of the preceding layer and each layer wound so that its length will be in timing with the horizontal movement of the piston in reciprocating within the cylinder 53 and on the threaded shaft 13. The extensions or outer portions of the end plates or heads 18 will prevent damage to the cable while the insulation 52 on the outside of the end plates or heads 48 will complete the insulating of the fluid in the cylinder. Also, the bolts 52 will not only hold the parts assembled, but will strengthen the structure by connecting the end plates or -heads 63 in the manner described and hold the same firmly against the cylinder forming the drum or reel ll as well as the cylinder 53 which are thus firmly secured in position. The nuts iii are welded to the metal washers it which bear against packings or washers Tl disposed against the annular plates or washers 6!), said washers 50 forming gasket rings of some soft composition which bear against the shoulders l3 formed at the ends of the threaded portion 13 of the shaft at the portions it on which the drum rotates. These packings and washers are brought under compression by atmospheric pressure and by the compression action of the fluid in their movement toward opposite ends of the cylinder and chamber thereof. That is, the fluid presses against the same to form a seal to render the cylinder liquid-tight especially by compressing the soft gasket rings and causing the same to expand and seal off all openings around the shaft passing through the end bearing points it at the holes in the end plates or heads 48. Also, if thin oil is used, the nuts may be tightened instead of being welded to insure perfect seals. In this way, the tendency of air to enter at the ends opposite the position of the piston, is positively assured against. Also, the annular plates Ell help form a desirable and inexpensive bearing surface for the shaft at the bearing ends or axis at the axial center of the drum, without the use of expensive bearings or castings. In addition, plugs 19 may be provided in the ends of the cylinder chamber at the plates or heads ill and annular plates 60 to facilitate filling of the cylinder chamber with the necessary or desirable fluid to be used. The bearings and mounting of the piston are such that binding of the piston within the cylinder is also avoided. Also, the holes or ports 66 permit escape of the fluid from one side of the piston to the other. The resistance or braking action is caused also by the inability of the fluid to be compressed ahead of the movement of the piston, insuring further inside seal of leakage of the fluid from the cylinder. Also, the valve or screw 1 l--'I2, permits control of the fluid from one end of the piston chamber to the other to a nicety. Furthermore, pins or stops 80 may be provided through the ring 2! to prevent shifting of the rings relative to the bracket l and pivoted attachment points 22 to keep the device from rubbing a user in back of his head. The gauge and pitch of the threads may be such together with the size of the drum, that the layers of cable will permit 160 to 125 feet of cable to be reeled oil" at each complete unwinding of the cable from one end of the drum to the other, although this may be varied according to the size of the device, to obtain the length of cable necessary for proper descent to the ground. In other words, one single coil of the windings may give from eight to eighteen inches of descent or if one foot, the number of turns will determine the descent of the cable. Thus, from to 250 feet of cable or more may be unwound to descend a corresponding distance.

By extending one nut or washer 16 to form a lever 82 with cord 83 attached to its free end to be worn under an arm of the user, when pull is exerted on the cord or lever, the nut 16 will advance on the shaft l3 to lock the mechanism by forcing friction of the washers and gasket packings heretofore described and provide a brake to check descent. A spring 84 connected to the nut or lever '16 keeps the nut from advancing on the stationary shaft l3 when the brake is released by releasing the pull on the lever or cord, or to keep the brake off when pull is not exerted on the lever or cord.

In view of the foregoing, it is thought that the use and operation of the device will be clearly understood and therefore further description thereof is omitted.

While in the foregoin there has been shown and described the preferred embodiment of this invention it is to be understood that minor changes in the details of construction, combination and arrangement of parts may be resorted to which do not depart from the spirit and scope of the invention as claimed.

Having described the invention what is claimed as new is:

1. An improved portable fire escape device, comprising a non-rotatable shaft, 3, cylinden forming a fluid chamber surrounding and sup-- ported by the shaft, the cylinder being provided with projecting end flanges forming a reel, a cable wound around said cylinder in opposite directions in layers to cause reverse turning of the cylinder, a piston within the cylinder and longitudinally movable therein but held against relative rotation with respect thereto, the shaft having a screw-threaded portion engaging the piston for moving it within the cylinder as the cylinder is being revolved and to cause the piston to move in opposite directions as the cable unwinds, and means for controlling the flow of fluid from one end of the cylinder to the other in opposite directions.

2. An improved portable fire escape device, comprising a non-rotatable shaft, a cylinder forming a fluid chamber surrounding and supported by the shaft, the cylinder being provided with projecting end flanges forming a reel, 2. cable wound around said cylinder in opposite directions in layers to cause reverse turning of the cylinder, a piston within the cylinder and longitudinally movable therein but held against relative rotation with respect thereto, the shaft having a screw-threaded portion engaging the piston for moving it within the cylinder as the cylinder is being revolved and to cause the piston to move in opposite directions as the cable unwinds, means for detachably anchoring the end of the cable to be payed out, to prevent unwindin thereof when not in use.

3. An improved portable fire escape device, comprising a non-rotatable shaft, a cylinder forming a fluid chamber surrounding and supported by the shaft, the cylinder being provided with projecting end flanges forming a reel, a cable wound around said cylinder in opposite directions in layers to cause reverse turning of the cylinder, a piston within the cylinder and longitudinally movable therein but held against relative rotation with respect thereto, the shaft having a screw-threaded portion engaging the piston for moving it within the cylinder as the cylinder is being revolved and to cause the piston to mOVe in opposite directions as the cable unwinds, and valve means including a bypass from one end of the cylinder to the other to control, the flow of fluid in opposite directions in opposite unwinding of the cable and movements of the piston in opposite directions.

4. An improved portable fire escape device, comprising a non-rotatable shaft, a cylinder forming a fluid chamber surrounding and supported by the shaft, the cylinder being provided with projecting end flanges forming a reel, a cable wound around said cylinder in opposite directions in layers to cause reverse turning of the cylinder, a piston within the cylinder and longitudinally movable therein but held against relative rotation with respect thereto, the shaft having a screw-threaded portion engaging the piston for moving it within the cylinder as the cylinder is being revolved and to cause the piston to move in opposite directions as the cable unwinds, and an insulation between the cylinder reel and said fluid chamber to prevent undue in-. fluence of heat and cold on the fluid in the cylinder.

5. An improved portable fire escape device, comprising a non-rotatable shaft, a cylinder forming a fluid chamber surrounding and supported by the shaft, the cylinder being provided with projecting end flanges forming a reel, a cable wound around said cylinder in opposite directions in layers to cause reverse turning of the cylinder, a piston within the cylinder and longitudinally movable therein but held against relative rotation with respect thereto, the shaft having a screw-threaded portion engaging the piston for moving it within the cylinder as the cylinder is being revolved and to cause the piston to move in opposite directions as the cable unwinds, means to support the shaft against rotation and the reel for rotation on the shaft, and means to manually check and brake the descent of the device.

LAURENCE H. TESSIN.

REFERENCES CITED The following references are of record in the file of this patent:

UNITED STATES PATENTS Number Name Date 148,744 Parent Mar. 17, 1874 628,736 Young July 11, 1899 637,626 Lindeberg Nov. 21, 1899 838,169 Coyle Dec. 11, 1906 859,266 Ulery July 9, 1907 1,041,090 Johnson Oct. 12, 1912 1,056,616 Wright et al Mar. 18, 1913 

